Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Canadian Banks Global Credit Research - 10 May 2017

Similar documents
Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Lowe's unsecured ratings to Baa1; P-2 commercial paper rating affirmed 12 Dec 2018

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades the ratings of Philippine National Bank and Rizal Commercial Bank Global Credit Research - 23 Nov 2017

Rating Action: Moody's changes outlook on Bank Zachodni WBK S.A.'s ratings to positive Global Credit Research - 29 Jan 2018

Rating Action: Moody's assigns definitive ratings to Lloyds' non-ring-fenced banks LBCM and LBIL

Rating Action: Moody's changes the outlook on FCA Bank's senior debt rating to positive from stable

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Counterparty Risk Ratings to three Sri Lankan banks 18 Jun 2018

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Counterparty Risk Rating to FCA Bank

Rating Action: Moody's changes outlooks on ratings of 14 Russian financial institutions to stable from negative

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades the ratings of The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and upgrades the ratings of National Westminster Bank Plc.

Rating Action: Moody's assigns an A1 insurance financial strength rating to CNP Assurances with a stable outlook 06 Jun 2018

Rating Action: Moody's changes outlook of Central Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank to positive from stable

Rating Action: Moody's Changes Sparebanken Vest's Rating Outlook to Stable From Negative

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Aa1 issuer and bond ratings of the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) with a stable outlook

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades BAWAG's ratings to A2; outlook positive

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades several Irish mortgage covered bond ratings; actions conclude review

Global Credit Research - 19 Apr 2018

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Peruvian banks

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Suriname's issuer rating to B2 negative; concluding rating review Global Credit Research - 20 Feb 2018

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Yanlord to Ba2; outlook stable Global Credit Research - 25 Apr 2017

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Intrum Justitia's Ba2 corporate family rating; outlook changed to stable Global Credit Research - 19 Apr 2018

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Baa3 senior unsecured debt ratings of ICICI Bank's Bahrain branch Global Credit Research - 17 Aug 2017

Rating Action: Moody's affirms BIL's A2 senior unsecured rating and changes outlook to stable 07 May 2018

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Permanent tsb's deposit and senior unsecured ratings; outlook stable Global Credit Research - 08 May 2015

Rating Action: Moody's Upgrades the City of Sacramento, CA's Lease Revenue Bonds to A1; Confirms Ser and Ser. 1993A at A2; outlook is stable

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Volvofinans Bank's A3 rating; stable outlook 26 Feb 2019

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades MS Amlin's IFS ratings to A1; stable outlook Global Credit Research - 08 Aug 2017

Rating Action: Moody's reviews NORD/LB Luxembourg S.A. - Public-Sector Covered Bonds, direction uncertain 19 Dec 2018

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Berner Kantonalbank's Aa1 deposit and A1 senior unsecured debt ratings

For personal use only

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Coty's CFR to Ba3; outlook stable Global Credit Research - 20 Mar 2018

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Aaa IFS rating of New York Life; stable outlook Global Credit Research - 27 Jul 2017

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades NORD/LB's Fuerstenberg preference shares to Caa1(hyb) Global Credit Research - 18 Apr 2018

Rating Action: Moody's changes rating outlook for Black Sea Trade and Development Bank to stable from negative Global Credit Research - 30 Sep 2016

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades the ratings of four Italian utilities 23 Oct 2018

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Aa3 to West Virginia SBA's $44.4M Capital Improvement Ref. Rev. Bonds, Ser Global Credit Research - 08 Sep 2017

Global Credit Research - 24 Jul 2017

Rating Action: Moody's reviews Depfa ACS Bank's public sector covered bonds for downgrade Global Credit Research - 14 Sep 2016

CIMIC GROUP UPGRADED TO Baa2, OUTLOOK STABLE, BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE

Rating Action: Moody's confirms ratings of six financial institutions in Kazakhstan; concludes review

OECD Workshop on Data Collection

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Banco Sabadell's ratings, outlook changed to stable from positive 19 Sep 2018

Rating Action: Moody's takes rating actions on Irish mortgage covered bonds Global Credit Research - 26 Sep 2016

Rating Action: Moody's assigns (P)A1 senior unsecured rating to SpareBank 1 Ostlandet's jointly-owned EMTN program

State Outlook: Debt Affordability. NCSL Conference Gail Sussman, Managing Director

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Aa3/Prime-1 issuer ratings to the Departement de L'Eure; stable outlook Global Credit Research - 07 Apr 2016

Rating Action: Moody's reviews covered bonds issued by Hypo NOE, Hypo Tirol and Heta AR for upgrade Global Credit Research - 25 May 2016

Rating Action: Moody's changes Colonial's outlook to negative from stable following tender offer for Axiare Global Credit Research - 14 Nov 2017

Rating Action: Moody's affirms the Baa2 financial strength rating on VIVAT NV's operating subsidiaries. Outlook remains stable

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Bharti's senior unsecured notes to Ba1 and assigns a Ba1 CFR; outlook negative 05 Feb 2019

Rating Action: Moody's affirms 22 German banks' senior unsecured debt ratings; changes 16 outlooks to negative

Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings in the European Union

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades mortgage covered bonds issued by AIB Mortgage Bank and EBS Mortgage Finance Global Credit Research - 29 Nov 2016

Rating Action: Moody's changes Nicaragua's rating outlook to stable from positive; B2 rating affirmed 13 Jun 2018

Rating Action: Moody's affirms HSH Nordbank's Baa3/Prime-3 debt and deposit ratings

Rating Action: Moody's assigns A3 issuer rating to Nidec Corporation; outlook stable Global Credit Research - 31 Jan 2018

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades ENGIE to A2; stable outlook Global Credit Research - 27 Apr 2016

Rating Action: Moody's affirms EBRD's Aaa rating, maintains stable outlook 07 Dec 2018

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Kommunalkredit Austria AG's public-sector covered bonds Global Credit Research - 25 Jul 2017

Rating Action: Moody's concludes review on SC Citadele Banka and Siauliu Bankas

Standalone BCA upgraded to b1 from b3 for Ulster Bank Limited and to b2 from b3 for Ulster Bank Ireland Limited

Rating Action: Moody's upgrade Equinor's rating to Aa2 and BCA to a1; stable outlook 09 Aug 2018

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Mauritius's Baa1 rating, maintains stable outlook Global Credit Research - 27 Mar 2018

Mongolian Banking System

Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings

Rating Action: Moody's confirms Promsvyazbank's ratings at B2; developing outlook

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades DVB Bank's debt to Aa3 from Baa1 and deposits to Aa1 from A2

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Blue Racer's senior notes to B2, rates new notes

Rating Action: Moody's assigns first-time A3 issuer rating to Midea Group Global Credit Research - 18 Nov 2015

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Land and Agricultural Development Bank's Baa3 rating; changes outlook to negative from stable

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades ArcelorMittal's ratings to Ba2; negative outlook Global Credit Research - 12 Nov 2015

Rating Action: Moody's changes the outlook to negative on three Infrastructure Issuers operating in Colombia

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Banca Carige S.p.A. and places ratings under review for downgrade 07 Aug 2018

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Santander Consumer Finance's deposit ratings to Baa1; maintains stable outlook

For personal use only

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Bank of Ireland and changes Bank of Ireland UK's outlook to positive

Rating Action: Moody's affirms MGCCT's Baa1 ratings on acquisition announcement; outlook stable Global Credit Research - 02 Apr 2018

Credit Trends: Kenyan Banks

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Coty's CFR to B1; outlook negative 26 Nov 2018

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Belfius Bank's senior unsecured and deposit ratings to A2 with a positive outlook

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades deposit ratings of Landesbank Berlin and Berlin Hyp to Aa2, changes outlook to stable

Rating Action: Moody's affirms long-term ratings of Credit Agricole S.A. and CACIB at A2

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Aker BP's rating to Ba1, stable outlook Global Credit Research - 05 Mar 2018

Special Tax: Transportation-Related

Rating Action: Moody's announces rating actions on student loan ABS backed by FFELP student loans following the update of its rating methodology

Rating Action: Moody's affirms AIIB's Aaa rating; outlook stable 28 Mar 2019

Rating Action: Moody's places debt and long-term deposit ratings of Credit Europe Bank N.V. on review for upgrade

Rating Action: Moody's changes outlook to positive on all ratings of Allied Irish Banks and assigns (P) Ba2 rating to holding company senior programme

Rating Action: Moody's assigns (P)Ba2 ratings to Intrum Justitia AB; outlook positive Global Credit Research - 12 Jun 2017

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Counterparty Risk Ratings to 14 Austrian banks

Rating Action: Moody's affirms National Rural Utilities ratings; outlook is stable

Rating Action: Moody's changes Hella's outlook to positive; affirms ratings Global Credit Research - 31 Aug 2017

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades senior unsecured debt instruments of 14 German banks following change in bank insolvency law

Rating Action: Moody's confirms the Baa3 issuer ratings of DBSA, IDC and Land Bank; stable outlook

Underwriting standards for credit cards and auto loans tighten modestly, a positive

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades South Carolina Public Service Authority revenue bonds; rating outlook negative

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Gasunie to A1 from A2; stable outlook 08 Aug 2018

CPPIB Capital Inc. Semiannual Update. Credit Strengths. Credit Challenges. Rating Outlook The rating outlook is stable.

Rating Action: Moody's confirms KOKS's B3 rating; negative outlook Global Credit Research - 24 Oct 2016

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Aa3 to Trinity Health Credit Group's (MI) Ser bonds; outlook revised to stable

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades SURA Asset Management to Baa1; outlook stable

Transcription:

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Canadian Banks Global Credit Research - 10 May 2017 Toronto, May 10, 2017 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has today downgraded the Baseline Credit Assessments (BCAs), the long-term ratings and the Counterparty Risk Assessments (CRAs) of six Canadian banks and their affiliates, reflecting Moody's expectation of a more challenging operating environment for banks in Canada for the remainder of 2017 and beyond, that could lead to a deterioration in the banks' asset quality, and increase their sensitivity to external shocks. The banks affected are: Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, and Royal Bank of Canada. The BCAs, long-term debt and deposit ratings and CRAs of the banks and their affiliates were downgraded by 1 notch, excepting only Toronto-Dominion Bank's CRA, which was affirmed. The short term Prime-1 ratings of the Canadian banks were affirmed. All relevant ratings for these banks continue to have negative outlooks, reflecting the expected introduction of an operational resolution regime in Canada. "Today's downgrade of the Canadian banks reflects our ongoing concerns that expanding levels of privatesector debt could weaken asset quality in the future. Continued growth in Canadian consumer debt and elevated housing prices leaves consumers, and Canadian banks, more vulnerable to downside risks facing the Canadian economy than in the past." said David Beattie, a Moody's Senior Vice President. In the same action, Moody's affirmed the BCAs, long-term ratings and CRAs of CIBC Mellon Trust (CIBC Mellon), the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (the Fédération) and Caisse centrale Desjardins. In view of today's actions, Moody's does not expect any upward rating pressure on the affected banks in the near term. However, the Canadian banks' ratings could be revised upwards if macro-economic conditions in Canada improve and the Canadian banks maintain sound financial metrics. The affected banks' ratings could be downgraded if their fundamentals weaken, as evidenced by an even more challenging operating environment and/or deterioration in their financial metrics. Please click on the following link to access the full list of affected credit ratings, not all of which are discussed in the summary above. This list is an integral part of this press release and identifies each affected issuer. (http://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=pbc_195571 ) MACRO PROFILE CHANGE Under Moody's bank rating methodology, the first stage of our credit analysis for banks starts with the Macro Profile, our assessment of the macro environment within which a bank operates. This reflects our view that bank failures are very often associated with systemic crises driven by macroeconomics rather than idiosyncratic factors. Our country level analysis focuses on economic strength, institutional strength, susceptibility to event risk, credit conditions, funding conditions and industry structure. In today's action, Moody's has changed its assessment of Canada's Macro Profile to "Strong + "from "Very Strong -". This change was driven by our view that the credit conditions in Canada have deteriorated. High levels of debt and rapid credit expansion can signal credit quality problems that emerge later. In assessing a given country's credit conditions, we consider the level of private-sector debt to GDP and the growth in private sector debt. Please refer to our "Sector In-Depth; Canada Macro Profile: Strong +" (http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=pbc_1071643 ) for further detail. Please click on this link http://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=pbc_195571 for the List of Affected Credit Ratings. This list is an integral part of this Press Release and identifies each affected issuer. RATINGS RATIONALE Moody's considers that weakening credit conditions in Canada -- including an increase in private-sector debt to GDP to 185.0% as of the end of 2016, up from 179.3% for 2015 -- present increasing risk to Canadian banks' asset quality and profitability. This increase has been led by household debt, which is now at a record high of

167.3% of disposable income (as at Q4 2016) and accompanying house price appreciation. Despite macroprudential measures put into place by Canadian policymakers in recent years -- which have had some success in moderating the rate of housing price growth -- house prices and consumer debt levels remain historically high. Business credit, the other component of private-sector debt, has also grown rapidly, at a 6.2% CAGR over the past 3 years. We do note that the Canadian banks maintain strong buffers in terms of capital and liquidity. However, the resilience of household balance sheets, and consequently bank portfolios, to a serious economic downturn has not been tested at these levels of private sector indebtedness. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD, Aa2/Aa2 negative, a1); TD's strong ratings are attributable to its very strong domestic retail franchise -- which generates stable and recurring profitability and its business mix. This strength is due to leading market share positions in many personal & commercial financial services products, where TD typically has market shares in the high teens and holds first or second positions. TD is the most retail oriented of its Canadian peers, with approximately 90% of earnings coming from retail (combined Canadian personal & commercial, wealth management and US personal & commercial, excluding corporate). While CM income has increased over recent quarters and capital allocated to the wholesale business is rising, we expect that reliance on this inherently volatile source of income will remain relatively modest. Through acquisition and organic growth, TD has increased its exposure to unsecured Canadian consumer credit risk in recent years. In our view, however, the strength and stability of the earnings from TD's Canadian personal and commercial banking franchise remain the primary credit strength supporting its ratings. The ratings of TD's US affiliates benefit from support from the parent, and as such are also affected by this action. Bank of Montreal (BMO A1/A1 negative, a3); BMO is one of the six major banks in Canada which benefit from the protection of significant barriers to entry and the stability of a prudent regulatory environment. Although its Canadian retail market shares are towards the lower end of the Canadian peer group, BMO has double digit market shares across all significant retail financial services and products, providing scale and recurring earnings power in its home market. In our view, however, the strength and stability of the earnings from BMO's Canadian personal and commercial (P&C) banking franchise remain the primary credit strength supporting its ratings. BMO has a strong and improving US regional banking presence through BMO Harris, which adds important diversification away from reliance on Canadian P&C earnings. However, BMO does not enjoy the same franchise strength and pricing power in the more competitive US market that it does in Canada. The ratings of BMO Harris and affiliates benefit from support from the parent, and as such are also affected by this action. Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS A1/A1 negative, a3); BNS is the most internationally active of the Canadian banks with approximately half of its earnings generated outside of Canada. BNS has taken significant measures to increase its profitability that signal a fundamental shift away from the bank's traditionally low risk appetite. While the bank's strategic actions are intended to enhance current profitability -- in 2016, BNS reported domestic net interest margin lower than the six largest Canadian banks' average- in our view, they increase the prospect of future incremental credit losses. While BNS had strategically grown its credit card and auto finance portfolios - both of which are particularly prone to deterioration during an economic downturn and exhibit higher defaults and loss severities than mortgage portfolios -- in recent years, growth in 2016 was flat. In addition, the bank has made a series of acquisitions away from its strong domestic franchise towards higher-growth but less stable international markets. BNS has aspirations to continue to grow its international earnings, which in Moody's view adds to bondholder risk. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC A1/A1 negative, a3); CIBC is the most reliant of the Canadian banks on domestic P&C earnings, which generate approximately 65% of total earnings, excluding Corporate. In our view, however, the strength and stability of the earnings from CIBC's Canadian personal and commercial banking franchise remain the primary credit strength supporting its ratings. CIBC has the second lowest proportionate exposure to unsecured and non-real estate secured consumer debt as a percentage of domestic consumer assets (roughly 11.5%), reflective of its very large book of insured mortgages. CIBC is one of the six major banks in Canada that benefit from the protection of significant barriers to entry and the stability of a prudent regulatory environment. Although its Canadian retail market shares are mid-range relative to its Canadian peers, CIBC has solid double digit market shares across all significant retail financial services and products, providing scale and recurring earnings.

National Bank of Canada (NBC A1/A1 negative, baa1); NBC's dominant position in commercial banking and strong second place share of market in retail banking in Québec are the primary credit strengths supporting its high ratings. The stability of the recurring earnings power of NBC's regional retail franchise is, in Moody's view, highly unlikely to be challenged. That being said, NBC's asset base (CAD234 billion as of Q1 2017) and national deposit share (roughly 4%) are small relative to the other large Canadian banks whose branch systems are more national in scale. In our view, however, the strength and stability of the earnings from NBC's Canadian personal and commercial banking franchise remain the primary credit strength supporting its ratings. While each of the major Canadian banks enjoys the benefits of superior pricing power due to sustainable large market shares in many significant retail and commercial products and services, this is true for NBC only in the context of its regional market, the province of Québec. As such, the challenges in geographic diversification and earnings stability and the Québec credit concentrations offset partially the strength in local market share and sustainability. NBC is the Canadian bank most reliant upon inherently less stable capital markets earnings, which generated 38% of total earnings, excluding Corporate for 2016 (38% for 2015.) Royal Bank of Canada (RBC A1/A1 negative, a3 ); RBC's ratings reflect its profile as a strong and diversified universal bank with sustainable leading market shares across many retail products and services in its home market. The stable earnings from RBC's domestic Personal and Commercial franchise are a key credit strength. RBC has had very low earnings volatility, supported by the stabilizing effect of the recurring profitability of RBC's solid domestic retail banking franchise. However, over the past four years RBC has demonstrated rapid growth in its Capital Markets business, led by growth in its US corporate loan book and the repo and securities finance business. We believe that RBC's USfocused Capital Markets growth strategy increases its exposure to risks that could more rapidly erode its creditworthiness in volatile or adverse market conditions, and is therefore negative for the credit. To date, this risk has been well managed and its performance has been very stable. Maintaining this performance through more volatile markets will be key to RBC's longer term risk management track record. We do not expect that this business will continue on this growth trajectory, and, in fact, that capital committed to the Capital Markets business will be more constrained. Management plans to substantially grow the earnings of its recently acquired, California-based private and commercial bank, City National Bank, (deposits Aa3 stable, a2) both organically and through targeted acquisitions. Growth in the City National business presents less credit risk than continued growth in the Capital Markets area, in our view. The ratings of two affiliates, RBC Capital Markets LLC and RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation were also affected by this action. In each case, both long and short term ratings were downgraded. Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (Aa2/Aa2 negative, a1 ); The Fédération is a cooperative entity responsible for governance and oversight activities for Desjardins Group (the Group). It acts as a control and supervisory body over the individual member caisses. The Fédération's pivotal importance to the Group's operations and performance, the application of regulatory supervision to the Group as a whole, as well as the strong strategic and financial cohesion among member caisses with a well-developed mutualist support framework, lead us to factor the strength of the Group into the Fédération's BCA. The Group has a secure retail banking franchise in rural Québec as well as strong capitalization and limited reliance on wholesale funding. Its regional banking concentration in Québec is offset in part by the Group's national insurance and wealth management business. The Fédération's ratings were affirmed despite the Macro Profile change because Moody's believes its operations to be largely isolated to the province of Quebec (which has experienced lower house price appreciation than other provinces) and because a large proportion of Desjardins' net income is derived from non-banking sources, such as life and property and casualty insurance. CIBC Mellon Trust (CIBC Mellon A1/A1 stable, a1); CIBC Mellon is a major player in the Canadian custody market, underpinning its franchise value. The operations and technology platform provided by BNY Mellon lends a further competitive advantage. BNY Mellon is the largest custodian, globally, and its operating platform allows CIBC Mellon to benefit from economies of scale and service not available to its primary domestic competitor. CIBC Mellon's risk management and control environment is strong, with an appropriate emphasis on operational risk issues and effective supervision by the joint venture's owners. CMT does not make loans (other than short-term overdrafts to custody clients) but incurs credit risk through its securities portfolio. The

(other than short-term overdrafts to custody clients) but incurs credit risk through its securities portfolio. The investment portfolio is made up largely of short-duration Canadian government and provincial bonds as well as corporate debt. CIBC Mellon's ratings were affirmed despite the change in the Macro Profile because Moody's believes its custody bank business model is directly unaffected by high consumer debt as it does not lend to consumers. Please click on this link http://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=pbc_195571 for the List of Affected Credit Ratings. This list is an integral part of this Press Release and provides, for each of the credit ratings covered, Moody's disclosures on the following items: - Principal Methodologies The principal methodology used in the ratings of the affected banks was Banks published in January 2016. The principal methodology used in the rating of RBC Capital Markets, LLC was Securities Industry Market Makers published in February 2017. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES Please click on this link http://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=pbc_195571 for the List of Affected Credit Ratings. This list is an integral part of this Press Release and provides, for each of the credit ratings covered, Moody's disclosures on the following items: Lead Analyst Releasing Office Person Approving the Credit Rating For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series or category/class of debt or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com. For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity. The relevant office for each credit rating is identified in "Debt/deal box" on the Ratings tab in the Debt/Deal List section of each issuer/entity page of the Website. The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entities or their designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure. The person who approved Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada (New York), Royal Bank of Canada (London Branch), Royal Bank of Canada (Sydney Branch), RBC Capital Markets, LLC, RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation, credit ratings is Ana Arsov, Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group, Journalists: 1-212-553-0376, Client Service: 1-212-553-1653. The person who approved National Bank of Canada (London), Toronto Dominion Bank (London), Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Canadian Imperial Holdings, Inc., BMO Harris Bank National Association, Caisse centrale Desjardins, Montreal Trust Company of Canada, National Bank of Canada, HSBC Bank Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank (The), Toronto Dominion Holdings (U.S.A.), Inc., Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, Bank of Nova Scotia, New York Agency, TD Bank, N.A., Canadian

Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York, Bank of Montreal, Chicago Branch, National Bank of Canada, New York Branch, Capital Desjardins Inc., CIBC World Markets plc, TD Bank US Holding Company, Scotiabanc Inc., CIBC Mellon Trust Company, Scotiabank Europe Plc, Toronto Dominion Global Finance, TD North America L.P., BMO Financial Corp., Scotiabank Capital Trust, RBC Capital Trust, Toronto Dominion (South East Asia) Limited, Northgroup Preferred Capital Corporation, BMO Subordinated Notes Trust, NBC Asset Trust, TD Capital Trust III, Scotiabank Tier 1 Trust, BMO Capital Trust II, TD Capital Trust IV, CIBC Capital Trust, Bank of Nova Scotia, Houston Branch, Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec, TD Group US Holdings LLC credit ratings is [Maria Celina Vansetti-Hutchins, Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group, Journalists Tel 44 20-7772-5456, Subscribers 44 20-7772-5454. The below contact information is provided for information purposes only. Please see the ratings tab of the issuer page at www.moodys.com, for each of the ratings covered, Moody's disclosures on the lead analyst and the Moody's legal entity that has issued the ratings. Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating. Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. David Beattie Senior Vice President Financial Institutions Group Moody's Canada Inc. 70 York Street Suite 1400 Toronto, ON M5J 1S9 Canada JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Gregory W. Bauer MD - Global Banking Financial Institutions Group JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Canada Inc. 70 York Street Suite 1400 Toronto, ON M5J 1S9 Canada JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 2017 Moody s Corporation, Moody s Investors Service, Inc., Moody s Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, MOODY S ). All rights reserved. CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND ITS RATINGS AFFILIATES ( MIS ) ARE MOODY S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS MAY INCLUDE MOODY S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES. MOODY S DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET

ITS CONTRACTUAL, FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODY S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY S PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODY S ANALYTICS, INC. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, AND CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD PARTICULAR SECURITIES. NEITHER CREDIT RATINGS NOR MOODY S PUBLICATIONS COMMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. MOODY S ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS AND PUBLISHES MOODY S PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE. MOODY S CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODY S CREDIT RATINGS OR MOODY S PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER. ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROTECTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. All information contained herein is obtained by MOODY S from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other factors, however, all information contained herein is provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so that the information it uses in assigning a credit rating is of sufficient quality and from sources MOODY'S considers to be reliable including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODY S is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing the Moody s publications. To the extent permitted by law, MOODY S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODY S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODY S. To the extent permitted by law, MOODY S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODY S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information. NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH RATING OR OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODY S IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER. Moody s Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody s Corporation

( MCO ), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moody s Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any rating, agreed to pay to Moody s Investors Service, Inc. for appraisal and rating services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,500 to approximately $2,500,000. MCO and MIS also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of MIS s ratings and rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold ratings from MIS and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading Investor Relations Corporate Governance Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy. Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODY S affiliate, Moody s Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moody s Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to wholesale clients within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODY S that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a wholesale client and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to retail clients within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODY S credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors. It would be reckless and inappropriate for retail investors to use MOODY S credit ratings or publications when making an investment decision. If in doubt you should contact your financial or other professional adviser. Additional terms for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K. ( MJKK ) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody s Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody s SF Japan K.K. ( MSFJ ) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ( NRSRO ). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively. MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for appraisal and rating services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY200,000 to approximately JPY350,000,000. MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements.